Apology to the people of South Africa from Zimbabweans

As a result of a recent incident involving the wife of the President of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe, allegedly assaulting one or more South African citizens in South Africa, relations between our two countries have been strained. Conscious as Zimbabweans of the importance of our relationship with South Africa, including the numerous Zimbabweans living and working there, and further convinced of the probability that no official apology will be forthcoming, we take it upon ourselves to apologize and express our sincere regret for the incident to our South African brothers and sisters.

Below is a copy of the letter handed to the South African High Embassy in Harare on the 23 August 2017.

22 August 2017

The AmbassadorThe Embassy of South Africa7 Elcombe StreetBelgravia, Harare

Dear Sir/Madam

RE: APOLOGY TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE UNFORTUNATE ASSAULT CASE BY OUR FIRST LADY DR. GRACE MUGABE.

We, the undersigned, as Vana veDzimbahwe (children of this land) do hereby submit this apology to the people of South Africa for the assault of South African citizen Gabriella Engels by the wife of our President, First Lady Dr. Grace Mugabe on the 14th of August 2017.

On behalf of our nation and her people, we want you to know that we are deeply ashamed at this unfortunate incident. It is our natural, moral and religious conviction that violence is abhorrent and not a good solution to any issue where dialogue and mediation are possible.

We fear this may divide our two countries, and do not wish it to come between all that we share in common. Despite the colonially determined boundaries between us, we consider ourselves one African family. Our shared values of ubuntu/hunhu lead us to understand that injury to one is injury to all.

So we say to the people of South Africa, our brothers and sisters, may you find it in your hearts to forgive us for this unfortunate incident. May this issue not lead us to lose sight of the fundamental social and economic rights which both our countries strive for, or hamper the possibilities for us to work together to attain these.May peace reign now and forever.